Provides that unemployment insurance benefits shall not be paid in an amount greater than thirty times the claimant's weekly benefit rate in any benefit year, subject to certain exceptions.
Summary
A09555 would amend the New York Labor Law to extend the maximum duration of unemployment insurance benefits. Under current law, benefits generally may not be paid for more than 26 times a claimant’s weekly benefit rate in a benefit year; this bill would increase that cap to 30 times the weekly benefit rate. The bill preserves existing exceptions already found in the Labor Law for certain claimants and benefit situations.
The measure is a straightforward change to the unemployment insurance program and would take effect immediately upon enactment. In practical terms, it would allow eligible unemployed workers to receive benefits for a longer period before exhausting their regular entitlement, which could provide additional income support during periods of joblessness.
Impact
This bill would amend subdivision 4 of section 590 of the Labor Law, changing the standard maximum duration of unemployment insurance benefits from 26 weeks’ worth of benefits to 30 weeks’ worth, while leaving existing statutory exceptions intact. The change would affect unemployed workers who qualify for regular unemployment insurance benefits, as well as the state system that administers and finances those benefits, potentially increasing benefit outlays and extending support for claimants.
Sentiment
No committee transcript or vote record is available, so there is no direct recorded debate or roll-call evidence of support or opposition. Based on the bill text and caption, the measure appears policy-focused and remedial, aimed at expanding unemployment support rather than restructuring the program. The available context suggests a neutral-to-supportive framing centered on benefit duration and worker assistance.
Contention
No specific points of contention are documented in the available materials. If debated, likely areas of concern would include the fiscal impact on the unemployment insurance system, employer contribution implications, and whether extending benefits from 26 to 30 times the weekly rate is sufficient or excessive. Supporters would likely emphasize additional income security for unemployed workers, while critics might focus on program costs and incentives.
Same As
Provides that unemployment insurance benefits shall not be paid in an amount greater than thirty times the claimant's weekly benefit rate in any benefit year, subject to certain exceptions.
Provides that unemployment insurance benefits shall not be paid in an amount greater than thirty times the claimant's weekly benefit rate in any benefit year, subject to certain exceptions.
Provides that the unemployment insurance minimum weekly benefit amount shall be the greater of two hundred fifty dollars or fifteen percent of the state average weekly wage.
Provides that the unemployment insurance minimum weekly benefit amount shall be the greater of two hundred fifty dollars or fifteen percent of the state average weekly wage.
Provides that a claimant's weekly unemployment insurance benefit shall be calculated based on such claimant's average weekly wage compared to the state average weekly wage.
Provides that a claimant's weekly unemployment insurance benefit shall be calculated based on such claimant's average weekly wage compared to the state average weekly wage.
Provides that a claimant for unemployment benefits may claim an additional dependent allowance in an amount equal to 5% of the state average weekly wage for the current benefit year multiplied by the number of dependents claimed in the preceding tax year.
Provides that a claimant for unemployment benefits may claim an additional dependent allowance in an amount equal to 5% of the state average weekly wage for the current benefit year multiplied by the number of dependents claimed in the preceding tax year.
Relates to protecting retiree health insurance benefits; provides that the health insurance benefits provided to retired officers, employees, and their dependents by the state and its political subdivisions shall not be diminished or impaired below the actuarial value of the benefits provided as of December thirty-first, two thousand twenty-one.
Requires that the average annual wage and average weekly wage of the state of New York, which determine the maximum cap for unemployment insurance benefits, be adjusted for inflation each year.